Bait For Trout – Rules For Using Live Trout Bait

If you are a spin fisherman you more than likely use live bait when fishing for trout and in this article

I will outline some simple rules pertaining to using live bait when fishing for trout so that you can experience more success the next time that you are out fishing for any of the four main freshwater trout species. Using live bait while fishing for trout is something that I have been engaging in for a little more than twenty years and I believe that these simple rules are paramount to achieving consistent success on the water anytime that you are using live bait for trout.

For the most part, when you are talking about live bait and trout fishing the choices that we have available to us are fairly limited. The first (and probably the most popular) choice is live fishing worms such as night crawlers and red worms or even maggots and meal worms. Next there are minnows and leeches, which can be difficult to transport and keep alive. And finally there are live insects, which can be difficult to use and transport, but are also quite effective at times.

1. Keep The Bait Lively - Anytime that you are using live bait for trout, you want that bait to be as lively as possible. In the case of fishing worms, this means keeping tour bait as cool and dark as possible when they aren't needed. In the case of any live bait that lives underwater, this means keeping the bait as aerated as possible. And in the case of live insects, this means making sure that they are been kept in a well ventilated container that keeps out as much light as possible. The bottom line is that dead or dying bait isn’t anywhere near as effective as lively bait so you always want your bait to be as lively as possible when it is being utilized as bait.
2. Keep Your Hooks Small - Anytime that live bait is being used for trout you want to use fishing hooks that are as small as possible. There are two reasons for this, it inflicts less damage on the bait itself, thus keeping it alive longer and second the small the hook, the less visible it will be to the trout that you are attempting to catch. In cases where live insects are the trout bait of choice, extra light wire hooks are the way to go.
3. Keep Your Line Light - I believe that light line and live bait go hand in hand anytime that you are fishing for trout. The less visible your line is to the trout that you are trying to catch, the more bites you will receive, it's as simple as that. Four pound test it the heaviest line that I suggest when using monofilament line and if you are using fluorocarbon fishing line, six pound should be the maximum. Again, when it comes to using live bait for trout you want the focus to be on the bait and not the line, so the lighter the fishing line, the better.

Anytime that you are using live bait for trout, keep these simple rules in mind and you will experience more success. Theses simple rules have been helping me for many years and I know they will do the same for you.